Dallas Mavericks' Shawn Marion Has Rediscovered 3-Point Shot

By Miotch

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

There were givens going into the season for veteran Dallas Mavericks small forward Shawn Marion. The Mavericks knew Marion would put up his 11-12 points and 7-8 rebounds per game. Dallas also knew it could rely on Marion to provide superb defense against multiple positions. But how could the Mavericks — or anyone for that matter — have expected Marion to step into the time machine with his 3-point shooting?

Nobody could have expected what we have thus far witnessed in that regard. Marion is shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc this season, and it’s not like that percentage is derived from a really small amount of attempts either, as Marion has attempted the most 3-pointers per game (2.4) than he has since the 2007-08 season (3.6) with the Phoenix Suns.

NBA players who seemingly lose their 3-point touch are not supposed to just get it back one day late in their careers. Even NBA legend Michael Jordan, for instance, who was a really good 3-point shooter in his prime, pretty much abandoned the 3-point shot altogether in his last few seasons.

Marion, like Jordan, suffered a serious decline in his 3-point shooting some years ago as his overall percentage became abysmal. So, he had only taken about one 3-pointer per game in the last couple of years.

It seemed pretty clear Marion had come to grips with the likelihood that he would never again be a 3-point shooter, but he’s somehow reversed his fate. Marion’s Twitter bio reads that “tricks are not just for kids.” Apparently that is the case, because the 35-year old Marion has definitely pulled out a new bag of tricks.

Miotch is a Mavericks writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Miotch_Report, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your Google Network.